Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-30
THE CASE OF REV. f. M. TODD.
Testimony Before the Presbytery of
WashingtOn To-day.

port SCatlng That Turner testified that when Mr..
Slack visited him in regard to the alleged occur
woman In the case, but that the name was sup
pressed at the request Of the presbytery. Mr..
that the witness test1fed that Mr.. Slack "insinu,
atedu tnat It might have been certain woman.
| MI Kelley said the publication OF the Post was a
| had sought to conceal facts The other daily pa
pers, continued Mr.. Kelley, made no reference to
the hearsay illusions OF the witness.
Rev. DR.. ChildS counsel for the accuserS said
that as tne Indirect tnsinuations brought out In
the testimony seemed to point to an innocent per-
protecting it from unjust suspicious he requested
tne reporters to omit any mention OF such nsinua-
lions He mad not seen the report complained OF,
ana was about to return thanks to the press for
the fairness OF the repo53s He had read only The
EVENING STAR and the Eepublican, and he could
speak OF the entire fairness Of the reports OF these
the reporters to the fact that they were present by
the courtesy OF the presbytery and that the latter
was entitled to some consideration.
In regard to certain ahdav1tS OF persons in Vir-
g1n1a, as to the time when Mr.. Todd was seen at
different points along the route of his travel Dr.
Ch1lds said he had consulted eminent legal au-
thOrity, and had been advised that such affdavits
were admissible when both sides assented. That
was agreed to.
THE FIRST WITNESS SWORN TO-DAY
was MI. John B. Slack, an elder of the Nokesv1le
church. BE is apparently about forty-eight years
OF age, with rugged features and complexion well
tanned, indicating exposure to the sun. He wore
plain suit OF dark goods His beard consisted OF
mustache and goatee, the latter OF which he now
and then combed down with his fingers Mr.. Slack
was one OF the SignerS to the charges against Mr.
Todd. The witness testified that he lives about
two miles from Nokesville church; has lived there
eight years; In the county thirty-f1ve years; had
known Mr. Todd ever since the latter entered upon
his ministry In Virginia. Witness vas elder OF
the Nokesville church; was chosen elder since MI.
Todd TOOK charge OF the church.
&uestion-"Do you recollect the events OF the
oath of May last?"
Answer-T do, Sir. That was on Tuesday"
In response to further questions witness said
early In the forenoon OF that day he at his
nome and later In the day he went to Manassas
A map OF the vicinity Of NOkesville church was
SHOWN 10 the witness, and he pointed out the
different roads.
SAW Mr. TODD ON HORSEBACK.
Witness left his house at that morning to go to
Manassas. He called 1t miles from Dr.. Readings
where Mr.. Todd staid the night before the alleged
occurrence in the woods), to his (witnesso house.
Witness went to Manassas that morning with q
load OF hay; was accompanied by his son; went
to Mr. Todd's house, reaching there at IL 80 a. m
He got up from the table at IL 80, and upon going
out he met MI. Todd. Witness noted the time as
he arose from the dinner table. witness attended
to some business in Manassas and left there about
p. m on his return home. During the afternoon
there was light rain. Upon leaving Todd's house
witness met Mr. Todd within $50 Yards Of the lat
had Mcclellan saddle; did not notice any lap
robe. Mr.. Todd carried a small leather bag. Wit
ucSS SOlO MI 1Ouu 6uc uOISc Guc lAlteE was
| about a year ago. Witness went home by the
most direct route. reaching there about $50 p. IN
On Friday, the 9th Of May, about p m, witness
Mr.. Todd. Witness went to Turner'S house to ASK
him about II. He t0lA Turner he had come there
to see about the report he cr1rner> had been CIR.
ness replied to Turner: "You know what report, I"
| and he added that he fwitnesS wanted to know
the truth.
THE MODERATOR ovERRuLED.
u VOL, fod
to what occurred between the witness CSlack) and
Turner, Mr.. Todd not being present. 1t was only
hearsay testimony and not competent.
The moderator sustained the objection, where
upon DR.. Sunderland said he wanted to be heard.
He maintained that as Turner had been permitted
to relate the details Of the alleged conversation
between Turner and Slade, the present witness
DR.. Childs remarked That the prosecution did
not bring out the testimony to the conversation
between Turner and Slack. After some consider
overruled, and 1t was decided to admit the testi-
mony as to what occurred between Turner and
Slack.
MR.. WALKERS NOTION.
Mr.. Walker, in order to further test the sense OF
the presbytery on the question of admitting hear
OF Turner's testimony relating to the conversation
between himself and Mr.. Slack, the present wit
ness.
DR.. Sunderland insisted upon the widest latitude
for the derense) deliberately led Turner to tell
everything he could, because he (Dr. Sunderland)
INTENDED TO IMPEACH TrRNRR.
He would give notice that the defense intended
to impeach Turner The defense would show that
Turner had told different stories about this matter
to different persons; that Turner had made two
different af11davits, and the defense would show
that when Turner took CartcO to the woods he
pointed out an entirely different tree and spot
from those which he subsequently pointed out to
Mr.. Round and Others.
The motion TO strike out all reference in Turner's
testimony to the conversation between Turner and
Slack was put and carried.
DR.. Sunderland excepted to this decision of the
court.
The witness had no personal knowledge OF the
matters charged against Mr.. Todd. He knew moth
ing except what Turner had told him.
DEACON SLACK CONSTRAINED.
This completed the direct examination Of the
witness. On his cross-examination witness said
sold to Mr.. Todd, to Marsteller. Both horses were
sorrel in color In other points they were alike.
Tne 1ag 70 MI cad Moaas saddle was small
ry1ng the satchel It could not have contained
lap robe; the satchel was too small
On redirect examination witness said that while
the horses he sold to Todd and Marsteller were
alike they were easily told apart.
To member OF the presbyuery witness said
there was no spot on the hind quarters of the
horse he sold to Todd. Turner testified that there
was spot on the horse he saw in the woods
caused Dy Cnc ualr SueQQl0g Oh. MI. SLACK said
the horse he sold to Todd had shed before the
time OF the alleged meeting in the woods.
WHAT MRS. SHAEFFER SAYS
Mrs. Leila R Shaeffer was the next witness
witness is not member OF the Nokesville church;
she formerly attended that church, but now goes
to the Dunkard church. Witness house Is about
quarter OF mile from Turner's and half mile
from Carry's. Witness was requested to make an
ahdav1t in this case. Mr.. HOrnbaker called on
her and asked II she knew anything about the
case. Prior to that she was visited by Mr.. Round,
In the interest OF Mr.. Todd and for him she made
an afIidavit. On the morning OF Tuesday, May "A,
witness was planting beans In her garden, which
Is on the main road She could see anybody who
passed on the road. She finished planting beans
and returned to the house. While on the porch
she looked toward the road and saw Mr.. Todd.
She recognized the horse that Mr.. Todd had bought
from Mr. Slack. Witness said to some one present,
Its MI. Todd and guess he's going up to see
Miss Lizzie Ruby"
Objection was made to this as q mere supposi-
old lady, and 1t doesn't make any difference"
DR.. Sunderlan6-"Well. it does make q Differ
ence no matterff she Is old or young"
The witness added that the lady she mentioned
belongs to Mr. Todds church, and, therefore, she
supposed he was going to call onher.
AT this point recess was taken until pm.
TIE NAP OF Mr.. ToDDs ROUTE.
The map so frequently used in the case shows
the route that Mr.. Todd is supposed to have ttav-
eled on the day Of his alleged meeting with the
woman. On the Sunday prior to the alleged meet
Todd nrpachah 0f "a IL, oh,